Measures H and J 2016-17 Annual Report

CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

To Our Community:

Welcome to the fourteenth edition of the Merced Community College District Measure H & J Citizens’ Oversight Committee’s Annual Report. As your representatives, it is our committee’s duty and privilege to oversee the expenditure of funds approved by voters to upgrade and expand the facilities at Merced Community College and the Los Banos Campus. The committee presents this report to the Community based on information that has been provided to the committee, and auditors annual reports.

This committee represents a cross section of the Merced Community College District community, which includes communities in Merced, Fresno, and Madera counties. Over the last year, it has been our pleasure to work with the students, faculty, staff, and administration of the Merced Community College District. As members of this committee, we can assure you that the people of Merced Community College District are working diligently to ensure that every Measure H and J dollar is spent efficiently on those projects that are most vital to the mission of the district—providing quality, affordable, accessible educational opportunities to all members of the community.

It is exciting to be a part of the changes that will ensure our local college continues to be a valuable resource to our residents and businesses. As you will find in this report, several projects are underway to repair aging facilities and infrastructure, increase efficiency, and provide students and faculty with the latest technological tools to enhance the learning experience.

Our committee meets twice per year. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Meeting dates and locations are published on our website. You are also welcome to contact us with your comments and/or questions.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Merced Community College District

Proposition 39 Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee

A m e s s a g e f r o m t h e M e a s u r e H & J C i t i z e n s ’ O ve r s i g h t C o m m i t t e e

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

What is Measure H? 2

What is Measure J? 2

What is the COC? 2

Bond Expenditure Summary

3-6

Project Update 7-9

Measures H & J The first twelve years

10

Audits Design Awards Stay in Touch

10

11

12

Measures H and J 2016-17 Annual Report

What is Measure H? In November 2002, voters in the Merced Area approved Measure H, a $53.5 million general obligation bond measure to fund facilities improvements at the District’s Merced Campus. What is Measure J? In November 2002, voters in the Los Banos area approved Measure J, a $11.93 million general bond measure to fund new facilities at the new Los Banos Campus. What is the Citizens’ Oversight Committee? Measures H and J were approved under the requirements of California’s Proposition 39, the Strict Accountability in Local School Construction Bonds Act passed by state voters in 2000. As required by Proposition 39, the Merced Community College District Board of Trustees appointed an independent committee of citizens to oversee the expenditure of all bond funds. The Citizens’ Oversight Committee includes representatives from taxpayer groups, business and industry, senior citizens’ organizations, and students. The Committee is charged with ensuring that all bond funds are spent as promised on capital projects. Since the passage of Measures H and J, the Committee has met twice per year for the purpose of reviewing the District’s bond-funded construction program; ensuring the program maximizes all funding sources; and making sure the District has made the most prudent use of taxpayer dollars. In addition, the Committee is charged with assuring the District adheres to the requirements of Proposition 39, including spending funds only on those projects identified in Measures H and J as approved by the voters.

Citizens’ Oversight Committee Members

Cameron Cowperthwaite Merced College Student Ricky Torres Merced College Student Marty Marchini Citizen of Community George “Ron” Pirtle Citizen of Community Billie Razzari Member of Business Community Mark Schrieber Member of Business Community Chris Tomford Citizen of Community Jim Williamson Member of College Support Organization

Merced Community College District

Programming Team

Joanne Schultz Vice President, District Administrative Services Sheila Flores Capital Planning and Events Manager Joseph Allison Director, Business and Fiscal Services Ron Perez Director of Facilities Management

Measures H (Merced) and J (Los Banos)

Measures H and J 2016-17 Annual Report

Measure H (Merced) Featured Projects

Completed

Learning Resources Center Project The new Learning Resources Center (Library) was completed in January of 2007 and opened to students on February 20, 2007. The facility is the largest building on the Merced campus with more than 74,500 square feet of space. The LRC was funded through state and local education bonds at a cost of $18.8 million.

Science Building Remodel Project This building opened to students for the Fall 2007 semester and provides teaching and learning spaces to accommodate increased enrollment in the sciences and math areas on the main campus in Merced. With expanding pressure for additional lower division courses at the community college level, enrollment has increased significantly in the physical sciences. The Science Building Remodel Project was funded through state and local education bonds.

Business Resource Center Project This project was completed in time for the Spring 2008 semester and includes space for employment training and economic development programs. The building c o nt a ins : c las s r ooms , c o mp ut er laboratories, conference rooms and community meeting spaces for college/business collaboration, and faculty/staff space. This building is located off campus on 19th Street, near Merced City Hall. The Business Resource Center Project was funded solely from local education bonds.

Measures H and J 2016-17 Annual Report

Measure H (Merced) Projects

Completed

Lesher Building Remodel Project This project was completed March 7, 2008 and reactivated 21,660 square feet of remodeled space, formerly known as the Lesher Library, to address the need for the development of centralized student services on the Merced Campus (i.e. Admissions, Records, Registration, Counseling, Student Fees, Financial Aid, EOPS and DSPS.) Merced College is proud to provide this one-stop-shopping concept to

Allied Health Complex Project This project began on September 25, 2007 and was completed for Summer 2009 classes. The new complex consists of 30,931 square feet to house labs for the LVN, RN, Diagnostic Radiologic Technology and CNA Programs, offices for faculty and meeting room space for faculty and public use. The building is located on the Merced Campus, in close proximity to the new Mercy Medical Center.

Agriculture and Industrial Technology Complex Project This 19,811 square foot, $21 million dollar project combines two academic divisions (Agriculture and Industrial Technology.) The Project is at the Final Project Proposal (FPP) stage and it is anticipated the project will be funded in 2019-20.

Vocational Complex Renovation/Expansion Project Space vacated as a result of construction of the Allied Health Complex will be remodeled to provide additional lecture, lab, and office space for the campus. In addition, a new wing will be added to accommodate the criminal justice program. The Project is at the IPP stage, and it is anticipated the project will be moved to the FPP stage after the Agriculture and Industrial Technology Complex Project is approved for funding.

Student Union Remodel/Administration Building Remodel Projects Space vacated as a result of the Lesher Building Remodel Project was remodeled to accommodate student functions. Associated Students and Student Activities of Merced College have benefited from this remodel. As described in the Merced College Master Plan, “Student Union space will be reverted back to the students.” A new, state-of-the-art, Board Room was also included as part of this project. These projects were completed and opened in Spring 2009.

In Planning

Theater Basement ADA Improvement Project This project was submitted to the Chancellor’s Office as a Project Proposal in 2008. Because of the delay in state funding, the District proceeded with the project using bond ABR funds. The project was completed in Spring of 2013 and provides an elevator and renovated basement facilities. Individuals are now able to access the Theater Basement, as well as the green room and stage, via the new elevator.

Signage Wayfinding Project This project provides new signage for the Merced Campus and was completed in early 2015. The final part of the project is the landscaping around the main monument. Plans are being developed and will incorporate sustainable, drought tolerant plant material and a welcoming design that will provide textures, color and height.

In Progress

Measures H and J 2016-17 Annual Report

Measure J (Los Banos) Featured Projects

Academic and Vocational Technology Project This project provided the new campus with its second facility. The new academic building focuses on technology (i.e. science labs, computer labs, classrooms, lecture space and meeting and faculty space). This project was funded with local bond funds.

Completed

Los Banos Site Development/Permanent Educational Facilities On-site development of facilities extended the infrastructure onto the permanent site. This project delivered the first building for the new campus, which consists of three teaching labs, six general purpose classrooms, offices and a small library. The total square feet for this project is 13,023. This project was state funded.

The new Los Banos Campus The new campus is housed on 125 acres to the west of Los Banos along Highway 152. A Grand Opening was held on Friday, September 7, 2007.

Photos by Susan Walsh

Measures H and J 2016-17 Annual Report

Measures H and J: The First Twelve Years

Financial and Performance Audits

Since voters approved Measures H and J in November 2002, the Merced Community College District has made significant progress in its Capital Facilities Program. Since Fall of 2004, the North Loop Road, Learning Resources Center, Science Building Remodel, Business Resource Center, Lesher Building Remodel, Allied Health Complex Project, Student Union Building, Administration Building and the Theater have been built and/or renovated. There are two major projects waiting for funding approval from the Chancellor’s Office. Updates to the Educational Master Plan and Facilities Master Plan are underway. A District Programming Team continues to monitor projects district-wide. The Programming Team is comprised of staff from the District and the District architect.

Measures H and J contain strict financial safeguards, including a requirement that independent financial and performance audits be conducted annually to ensure that bond funds are spent only on classroom and facility improvements as identified in the ballot language. On June 19, 2003, the first series of Bonds in the amount of $20,000,000 and $5,140,000 for the Merced Campus and Los Banos Campus, respectively, were issued. On August 1, 2005, the second series of Bonds in the amount of $6,790,000 for the Los Banos campus were issued. On August 1, 2006, the District issued a second series of Bonds for the Merced Campus in the amount of $24,000,000. On November 16, 2006, the District refunded the Los Banos Campus Series 2003 and Series 2005 Bonds in the amount of $10,740,000. The total proceeds from the Bond issuance were received by the District (less the original bond issuance costs) and are to be used to finance the construction, acquisition, furnishing, and equipping of District facilities. In 2011, the District refunded the Merced Campus series 2003; resulting in a savings of over $1 million to the taxpayers of SFID 1. The audit firm, Gilbert and Associates, Inc., conducted audits of the bond expenditures and activities for the period July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. The firm reported: “The results of our tests indicated that, in all significant respects, the Merced Community College District expended Measures H and J General Obligation Bond funds for the year ended June 30, 2017 only for the specific projects developed by the District’s Board of Trustees and approved by the voters, in accordance with the requirements of Proposition 39, as specified by Section 1(b)(3)(C) of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.” A copy of the full financial and performance audits may be viewed on the Merced Community College District web site at www.mccd.edu.

Measures H and J 2016-17 Annual Report

Merced Community College District Home to Design Award Buildings

Merced Campus

Interdisciplinary Academic Center

2005 AIA SV

Design Excellence Award

Los Banos Campus

Complete Campus Design

2007 CCFC

Design Excellence Merit Award

Merced Campus

Learning Resources Center

2007 AIA SV

Design Excellence Award

Merced Community College District is proud to be home to four design award winning projects designed by Lionakis Design Group Inc. The projects are highlighted below.

Merced Campus

Allied Health Complex

2009 AIA SV

Design Excellence Award

Measures H and J 2016-17 Annual Report

STAY IN TOUCH

The Citizens’ Oversight Committee meets twice per year to review Measure H and Measure J projects and progress. All meetings are open to the public.

For more information, go to the District’s web site:

www.mccd.edu or contact Sheila Flores, Capital Planning and Events Manager flores.sh@mccd.edu - (209) 384-6225

MERCED COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Carmen Ramirez* Ernie Ochoa * Dennis Jordan

Cindy Lashbrook * Joe Gutierrez * Jean Upton * Leonel Villarreal